CA1072515A

CA1072515A - Equipment for forming lengths of hose material, by helically winding tapes of vulcanizable rubber around a core

Info

Publication number: CA1072515A
Application number: CA289,689A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Alfio Deregibus
Original assignee: GRANFORD MANUFACTURING Inc
Current assignee: GRANFORD MANUFACTURING Inc
Priority date: 1977-05-04
Filing date: 1977-10-27
Publication date: 1980-02-26
Also published as: BR7707876A; AU521789B2; AU3578778A; MX147420A; BE866685A; IT1081731B; AR222794A1; LU79592A1

Abstract

EQUIPMENT FOR FORMING LENGTHS OF HOSE MATERIAL, BY
HELICALLY WINDING TAPES OF VULCANIZABLE RUBBER
AROUND A CORE

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Apparatus for manufacturing hose in pieces of substantial length by helically winding vulcanizable, i.e., curable, rubber tapes around a metallic core is provided. The apparatus includes operating heads located adjacent the respective ends of an elongated core and coaxially arranged with respect to the core.
Each head comprises a spindle for holding and rotating an end of the core, means for applying axial tension to the core and driving means for rotating the spindles, the same being electrically coordinated to assure that the spindles rotate in the same direction, in synchronism and in phase. Means are provided to support the core between the spindles without affecting the rotation of the core or the winding of the tapes around it. There is also a carrier adapted to carry at least one bobbin having a supply of tape wound thereon, the tape to be helically wound on the core. Traversing means are provided to effect relative movement of the carrier along a path parallel to the axis defined by the respective spindles in order to carry out the helical winding of the tape on the core.

Description

25~5 The pxesent invention relates to apparatus for ma~ing hose of vulcanizable, natural or synthetic rubber ~y wi~ding at least one layer and, generally, a number of layers of vulcanizable rubber tapes, which can include reinforcing fabric, around a core. In particular, this invention relates to apparatus for making hose and products of like nature in tubular pieces of substantial length, for example, as long as 100 metres or more.
In one aspect, this invention relates to apparatus suited to constitute an element of a complete plant for the fabrication of hose, such a plant being the subject of copending Canadian patent application Serial No. ~89,689, filed October 27, 1977, by the same applicant.
It will be understood that neither the hose made by apparatus embodying this invention, nor the apparatus or methods embodying this invention are restricted to the usages hereinbefore mentioned, and the invention may find utility in, for example, the winding of shaped bodies with a non-uniform diameter and/or cross-section.
The formation of hoses of substantial length necessar-ily produces or exaggerates particular technical problems not heretofore resolved in the art. ~leretofore industrial production has been limited to obtaining much shorter pieces of hose, at most in the range of some tens of me~res.
These technical problems concern, in particular, the following:
- the support of a core of substantial length in such a way as to prevent or at least limit the effects of practically unavoidable bending and flexure due to the weight and length of the core and of the material progressi~ely wound around the core;
s - rotation of the core without causing twisting .
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deformations distributed along the length of the core;
- winding of a tape or tapes around and along the working length of the core in regular and uniform helical patterns, which tapes can be with or without rein-forcement and can be of materials other than rubber.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for the manufacture of substantial lengths of hose by the helical winding of tapes of vulcanizable natural or synthetic rubber around a metallic core, said apparatus comprising two operating heads opposed coaxially and spaced apart along the axis of said core, each of said heads comprising a rotatable spindle for engaging the associated end of said core to : rotate the core about its axis, means for moving at least one said spindle for applying axial tension to said core, . driving means ~or rotating each said spindle, control means for electrically coordinating said driving means to rotate in the same direction in synchronism and in phase, support means for supporting said core at at least one location between said heads for free rotation of said core and free ; of interference with said tapes during winding of said tapes around said core, at least one carrier adapted to carry at least one bobbin having a tape wound thereon and traversing means for effecting relative axial movement of said core and said carrier along a path parallel to said core to permit winding of said tape on said core.
This invention will become more apparent frorn the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the appended drawings in which:
: Figure 1 is a schematic view in longitudinal e~eva--tion of apparatus embodying the invention;

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Figure 2 is a schematic view in longitudinal elevation of an end portion of the apparatus of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the portion of the apparatus as shown in Figure 2;
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively elevation and plan views of part of the apparatus of Figure l; and Figure 6 is a cross-section taken along line UI-VI
in Figure 2.
The apparatus as schematically represented in Figures 1, 2 and 3 comprises a system 8 which rotatably supports a core 10 that preferably is of metal and which can be solid or tubular and around which a hose can be fabricated. The length of the core is somewhat greater than the length of the hose to be built thereon. To provide for the winding of a rubber tape 12, which can be of uncured ; rubber or of fabric-reinforced, uncured rubber i.e., laminated tape, the apparatus includes at least one carrier 20 adapted to carry one or more bobbins 22 each having a supply of tape 12 wound thereon. The carrier is traversed longitudinally along the core 10 at a rate appropriate to the rotation of the core to build a hose 14 that subsequently is cured.
The system 8 includes two heads 16a and 16b coaxially opposed and spaced apart along the axis of the core to accommodate the length of the core therebetween. Each head includes, respective]y, a spindle 18a or 18b, each of which is provided with suitable means for engaging the associated end, lOa, lOb of the core both to rotate and to tension the core. Each head also includes a motor 30 with a transmission means 32 providing a drive system to rotate each of the spindles in timed relation, as wlll be more fully described hereinafter.

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Referring to Figures 4 and 5, carrier 20 is arranged to move and travel parallel to core 10, i.e., parallel to the common axis of the two spindles, being guided in its movement by means to be described hereinafter. To carry on the helical winding of the tape or tapes 12 about the rotating core, at least one bobbin 22 from which tape 12 is progressively unwound is carried on the carrier.
The hose is manufactured by helically winding a plurality of tapes on the core. Since at least some of - 10 the tapes are wound in a crossed helical way, the process includes two or more passes of the carrier 20 in each direction along the wor~ing length of the core.
The two heads 16a, 16b can be and preferably are identical in construction. ~t least one of the heads comprises, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a sliding body 28 rotatably accommodating the associated spindle 18a, a sup-porting frame 24 having a parallel, horizontal pair of support rods 26 slidably supporting body 28 for movement parallel to the axis of the core, motor 30 and transmission 32. Either or both bodies 28 can be moved by means of a hydraulic or pneumatic jack 34 in a direction away from the opposite head to exert tension in the core being held. The tension thus applied to the core tends to reduce deflection of the core from the axis defined by the spindles.
The considerable length of the cores, even when in ` tension as described, tends to cause deflection of the cores from the spindle axis, particularly during rotation of the cores. This deflection is controlled, or at least contained within acceptable values, by subdividing the length of the core into a plurality o~ spans by means of a number of core support devices 36 suitably spaced along the length of the core. Each support device includes a riser 38 that is .

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adjustable in height, for example, by being positioned at different levels in a stand 40. Each riser supports at its upper extremity, see Fig. 6, a pair of rollers 42 that are free to rotate about axes parallel to the axis of the core 10, the former axes being at a lower level than the latter axis and the rollers being symmetrically located on either side of the core in such a way as to form a freely rotating support for core 10 and hose 14. Obviously the space between rollers 42 must be less than the diameter of core 10. This support as can be seen from Figure 6, does not disturb the process of winding, and the tape from carrier Z0 can pass each support device 36 without interference. -In accordance with an important feature characteristic of the present embodiment motors 30 are controlled electric-ally to drive the respective spindles 18a, 18b in strict synchronism and phase. These motors are energized by suitable electric power supply and are connected by a known system sometimes referred to as an "electric axis", which assures ~ the in phase synchronized operation. The power supply and `~ 20 apparatus control is provided by a conventional control station ~4 (Figs. 2 and 3) which includes means for selecting - the core rotation speed.
The carrier 20 (the apparatus can include two or even more carriers arranged for non-interfering movement) is supported and guided by grooved wheels 50 which engage a rail 52 that runs parallel to the axis defined by spindles 18a and 18b and by rubber tired wheels 5~ running on a track 56 (Fig. 5) parallel to rail 52. The carrier is provided with a motor 58 that is connected by a suitable transmission 60 to at least one of the wheels 50, 54. Motor 58 may be a variable speed motor to permit the speed o~ carrier 20 to be regulated. Alternatively, the variation o~ speed can be ~7Z5~L5 effected by a conventional variable speed transmission 60.
In either case the traversing speed of the carrier can be regulated.
Carrier 20 is energized electrically by means of sliding blocks or trolleys mounted on carrier 20 and which contact conductors 59, one of which is shown in Fig. 3.
The carrier may be operatively connected to control station 44 to be regulated thereby.
A platEorm 62 (Fig. 4) provided on the carrier allows one or more operators to ride on the carrier for observation and regulation of the helical winding of tape 12 about core 10. The operator can position and manually present the bobbin 22 from which the tape 12 unwinds so as to agree with the moving direction of the carrier (the respective positions being indicated generally at 12 and 12' in Figs. 4 and 5).
Control means conveniently located on the carrier ena~le the '~ operator riding thereon to stop all of the motors.
While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

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Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for the manufacture of substantial lengths of hose by the helical winding of tapes of vulcaniz-able natural or synthetic rubber around a metallic core, said apparatus comprising two operating heads opposed coaxially and spaced apart along the axis of said core, each of said heads comprising a rotatable spindle for engaging the associated end of said core to rotate the core about its axis, means for moving at least one said spindle for apply-ing axial tension to said core, driving means for rotating each said spindle, control means for electrically coordinating said driving means to rotate in the same direction in synchronism and in phase, support means for supporting said core at at least one location between said heads for free rotation of said core and free of interference with said tapes during winding of said tapes around said core, at least one carrier adapted to carry at least one bobbin having a tape wound thereon and traversing means for effecting relative axial movement of said core and said carrier along a path parallel to said core to permit winding of said tape on said core.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 including a fixed pedestal associated respectively with each one of said heads, each one of said heads being movable axially of said core to tension said core and said traversing means being con-nected to move said carrier parallel to said core in a selected direction to wind tapes from said at least one bobbin helically about said core while said core is rotated.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein said means for moving at least one said spindle being associated with each said spindle and operable to move the respective spindle axially of said core.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 wherein each said head includes a rigid body rotatably accommodating one said spindle, each said driving means including a motor fixed on said body and driving connected to the associated spindle, each said body being mounted for movement parallel to said axis.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said support means comprises a plurality of pairs of support rolls spaced apart longitudinally along said core, said rolls of each said pair being spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of said core and located symmetrically of a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of said core, and a plurality of brackets each carrying at least one of said pairs of rolls for rotation about axes parallel to the axis of said core.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5 wherein said brackets are adjustable in height.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 including a guide rail extending parallel to said axis, said carrier being provided with a plurality of wheels at least two of which cooperate with said rail to guide said carrier parallel to said core.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said traversing means includes a motor mounted on said carrier and operable to move said carrier parallel to said core, and control means mounted on said carrier and operable to control the rate of movement thereof parallel to said core.